The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-28
A Country Where Travellers Rights Re-
ceive but the Scantest Recognition.
Stepniak's Protest Against Adoption ofa Rus
so-American Extradition Treaty-An Out
rage Upon Jewish American Citizen.
Brotherly Spiritin Which Democrats Be-
gin the Tariff-Reduction Campaign.
Wages of the Operatives in Mills in Ireland
Movement for Establishing Postal Tele-
graph-0ther Washington News.
RUSSIAN METHODS.

RUSSIAN METHODS.
Ste.,nias on the Pending Extradition Treaty
An Outrage an American Citizen.
Special TO the indianapolis Journe:
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2I--I have just received
a letter from Seraius IL Stepniak of London.
MIR. Stepniak is the foremost leader Of the revo-
lutiouary movement in Russia which threatens
to involve the country of the Car in an internal
Mr. Stepniak is Russian exile. but has
been conducting his movements from the out
side, through agents and the press. He informed
me, during visit I paid to him in juno last,
that he intended to come to Washington this
winter TO oppose the ratification of extradi-
tion treaty which would made 1t possible for
Russia to extradite revolutionsts who, when
pursued, fee to Americs. Mr.. Stepuiak writes
that he has read in these dispatches a statsmens
OF the American view of the proposed extradition
treaty witk Russia. and that he believes there 10
practically no need of his coming here. he
says:
THE n ihiIists not desperadoes, but mod
crate men. striving to gain for their country, by
what means they have at their disposal. . small
measure of the political freedom other countries
have enjoyed for centuries. Still, am sorry
for being unable to come. The issue now be-
fore the Amarican people is of great moral i'm
portance. II is essential that our autocracy
should not have the opportunity to tell to the
government and its only active opponents and
rebels. the American Republic has taken the
side of the government and voluntarily offered
to assist 1t in hunting down its enemies"
MIR. Stepniak promises to send me, within .
few Gays. statement of the condition of affairs
in Russia which threatening revolution,
and which have led to an attempt TO take the
life of the Car. He will also tell me why the
Senate of the United States should refuse to
ok rS:f nd
Why the American people should not only offer
a haven for the oppressed people in Russia. but
should give their sympathy to them. Mr. Step.
MAX is one of the strongest writers in the old
world, Is native of Russia. was educated there,
and was exlled for his effective opposition to the
unreasonable and unjust.fable oppression of the
crown. What he may say will be of the very
highest authority. as hs is the recognized ana
authorized leader OF the Russian revolutionisss.
There has been very little said or done abous
the Senate in reference to the proposed extra
dition treaty with Russia The question. how
ever, is likely to come up soon after the hol-
days; but it will meet with strong opposition.
AS said some time ago, there could be no sd-
vantage in the United States making Tn extra
dition treaty with Russia. for the reason that
no one can 60 into Russia without passport
that is complete in every respect. and that has
been vised by Russian diplomatic officer. A
criminal escapn from this country could not.
therefore. furnish the necessary proof of bis
good citizenship to enable him TO enter the
Cars country. To ratify an extraditon treaty
with Russia would, therefore. simply be an ad-
vantage to Russia only. and would be an in
dorsemept of Rus sas oppressive treatment not
only of her subjects but those of tLis
country who go there. Russia offers no protec-
ton whatever to American citizens within
bsr burc 00rus'S las. August. Snt' learned from
An American officer of an instance which had
just occurred and which bears out the truth OK
this statement a man named Oppenheimer ar
rived in St. Petersburg fro N the United States.
and. as usual. his passport was taken before he
had opportunity to register at a hotel half
hour afterwards gen d'arme called and informed
Oppenheimer that the prefect of the police wanted
to see him at his Office The American reported
Immediately, when the chief Of police said;
This is your passport" holo1ngI mp the ooo-
unent in his hand
"Yes," replied the American.
Are you a native-born Ame-ican4"
Eyes Sir."
What is your nationality"
s'I am Hebrew. sir"
THAT is what I presumed" said the police
officer, land you must leave the country before
tomorrow night.
The jew instantly saw that there was . deep
seated prejudice against his race. and he b ass-
ened to the American minister for official Gnter-
position. Mr.. Lothrop heard the jews state
ment, and started out to see Gers. the Foreign
Minister, and tbe prefect of police Both
throp told the American citizen that although
he would do everything he possibly could to
have a reversion of the order made, there was
not the slightest hope that he could stay in the
country longer than another day. The next
train bore Oppenheimer toward the German
frontier.
This may be an instance OF Russian prejudice
against a certain nationality. but this man was
an American citizen and rendered TO the Russian
authorities passport issued by Secretary Bay
ard. and vised by the Russian minister TO this
prOtectlOD
him on account of his citizenship, but he
given the shortest possible time in which to
leave the country. The Jews are hated as Bit
terly any people can be in Russia. although
there are a great many of them located in that
country. Most of them are money lenders and
rum-sellers, and they get mortgages on the crops
of the peasants, and by their grinding practices
become very wealthy. The result Is the pre1u-
dice against them cannot be obliterated by OFF,
cial obligations. and all Hebrews that 90 to Rus
sia, though they are loyal citizens of friendly
countries and are simply siehtseers are invari-
ably ordered to leave on the shortest possible
notice.